Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica
Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been a leader in sustainable tourism, and for good reason. With dense forests, rich biodiversity, and a deep cultural respect for nature, it’s a place where low-impact travel doesn’t just make sense, it feels natural.
At Hotel Rivel, we believe travel should nourish the land, not deplete it. Whether you’re hiking through our trails, sipping coffee grown on-site, or falling asleep to the sound of the Tuis River, your presence here helps sustain something meaningful: a slower, more thoughtful way of connecting with place, people, and self.
What Is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism isn’t about doing less, it’s about doing better.
At its core, it means traveling in a way that supports the environment, uplifts the local community, and respects the culture you’re visiting. It’s about choosing places that care about their footprint, and making small, intentional choices as a traveler that add up to a lighter impact.
In Costa Rica, that might look like:
- Staying in lodges built with the land, not over it
- Eating food grown nearby, not shipped from far away
- Listening and learning from locals, not just passing through
- Slowing down enough to truly see, hear, and feel the natural world
When you choose sustainable travel, you’re not just visiting, you’re participating.
How Hotel Rivel Supports Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability isn’t a side offering at Hotel Rivel; it’s at the heart of how the lodge was created and how it runs today.
Our lodges, trails, and gathering spaces were designed to coexist with the forest, not replace it. Much of the land remains wild and untouched, allowing birds, butterflies, and native plants to flourish. Guests often wake up to the sound of the river, spot wildlife from their balconies, and pick fresh fruit from trees just steps away.
Some of the ways Hotel Rivel supports responsible travel include:
- Fresh water sourced from a mountain spring, used in the pool and throughout the lodge
- Locally grown food, including fruit, eggs from free-range chickens, and estate-grown coffee
- Access to natural spaces like trails, rivers, and pools, without resort-style development
- Entirely local staff, offering warm hospitality rooted in the culture of this region
And because our property sits 1,000 meters above sea level, the climate stays naturally mild year-round, reducing the need for air conditioning altogether.
Here, sustainability feels effortless because it’s woven into the experience, not added on top of it.
Why Costa Rica Leads the Way in Sustainable Travel
Costa Rica is more than a beautiful destination; it’s a country built on the belief that nature is worth protecting. Over 25% of its land is protected through national parks, reserves, and wildlife corridors. The result? A thriving ecosystem where monkeys, toucans, sloths, and hundreds of bird species still move freely.
Its mountains, rainforests, rivers, and cloud forests attract travelers looking for something deeper than sightseeing. And for decades, Costa Rica has welcomed those travelers in ways that preserve what makes the land so special.
From locally run lodges to community-based guides, the country has created space for tourism to thrive without overtaking nature. The goal isn’t mass tourism, it’s meaningful travel. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in the highlands of Turrialba.
Main Facilities & What’s Included
- Fresh, Simple Meals: Our restaurant serves fresh dishes made from ingredients grown right here on the property. Local fruit, vegetables, coffee, and eggs make every meal feel connected to the land. One drink per meal is included. All-inclusive options available upon request.
- Wi-Fi & Parking: You can stay connected if you choose to, we offer strong Wi-Fi and free parking across the property.
- Swimming Pool, Waterfalls & River: The infinity pool is spring-fed and chemical-free. Or take a walk and find a natural pool or quiet river bend just for you.
- On-Site Restaurant & Bar: Open from 7am to 8pm daily, with cocktails, local beer and wine, and our very own house coffee. Ask our mixologist for something special.
Travel That Gives Back
Not all trips are created equal. Some leave you refreshed, but others also leave the place better than they found it. That’s the kind of travel Hotel Rivel stands behind.
Every stay here supports something meaningful:
- The land, by keeping forests wild and water clean
- The local team, who live and work in the region
- The experience, which remains personal, grounded, and free from mass tourism
There are no franchises or foreign investors here. Your visit helps preserve the slower, quieter, more connected kind of travel that Costa Rica is known for, and keeps it accessible for future travelers seeking the same.
Authentic Experiences Rooted in Place
At Hotel Rivel, you won’t find staged activities or packaged tours. What you will find are real moments that bring you closer to the land.
Here, everything is guided by nature’s rhythm:
- Walk forest trails lined with butterflies and birdsong
- Watch the morning mist rise over the hills as you sip coffee grown just steps from your lodge
- Swim in spring-fed natural pools, untouched and chemical-free
- Learn about native plants and trees from our team, many of whom grew up in this region
- Sit by the river and simply listen
These aren’t curated experiences; they’re everyday life at Rivel. The goal isn’t to entertain, but to invite you into something real. And often, that’s what makes it unforgettable.
Travel Well. Leave Light. Return Changed.
Sustainable tourism isn’t just about where you go; it’s about how you show up. At Hotel Rivel, we invite you to travel slowly, stay thoughtfully, and connect deeply with the place you’re in.
You don’t need to do much here to feel the difference. Just wake up with the sun. Walk beneath the trees. Eat what the land provides. And rest in a way that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
Ready to plan your stay?
Message us on WhatsApp at +506 8770 1654. Or email us at info@hotelrivel.online
Your journey can make a difference.
